Our History

 On a 2-acre wooded lot in west Wichita stands a historic building that has truly stood the test of time. Long before it became a place of business, the home began as a simple farmhouse along what was once known as the Cannonball Highway. In 1883, G.W. Wilbur purchased the land, building a modest home and planting cedar trees that still line the property today, standing as living reminders of its earliest days.

Over time, the property grew alongside the Wilbur family. A larger home, barns, orchards, and gardens transformed it into a thriving homestead. Generations lived and worked here, leaving behind a legacy that helped shape much of the surrounding area. The original homestead once spanned much of the land between Maple and Central, and Tyler and Ridge. Today, both Bishop Carroll High School and Wilbur Middle School sit on former Wilbur land. The middle school was originally built as Madonna Catholic High School before being sold to USD 259 and later renamed in honor of Lawrence Wilbur, grandson of G.W. and Susan Wilbur.

The property also sits along the original alignment of U.S. Highway 54—then known as the Cannonball Highway—the primary route west out of Wichita long before the modern Kellogg freeway existed. In the early 1900s, this stretch of road was paved with brick, a durable surface used on many major highways of the era. When the highway was relocated in the late 1940s, many of those historic bricks remained nearby. The brick wall that lines the front of the property was built largely from bricks salvaged from that original roadway, preserving a tangible piece of Wichita’s early transportation history.

By 1950, the home entered a new chapter when it became a restaurant known as The Farm. It quickly gained a reputation as an elegant dining destination, where guests enjoyed fine meals served with white-glove service, sparkling china, and a level of sophistication rarely found at the time. As highways shifted and traffic patterns changed, however, the restaurant eventually closed. Over the following decades, the property passed through several owners, serving as a private residence, a daycare, and even a bed and breakfast that hosted murder mystery nights, each chapter adding to its rich character.

In 1999, Tim Wooding purchased the property and undertook a complete renovation, breathing new life into the once-grand structure. It was thoughtfully transformed into office space while preserving its vintage, home-like feel. 

Stepping inside, visitors are immediately transported back in time. An antique hand-cut crystal chandelier from the 1940s hangs beneath a two-story domed ceiling, casting a warm glow across the space. A marble fireplace from the early 19th century, imported from Mexico from the palace of Maximilian I, serves as a striking focal point in the entry. In the stairwell, a brass “gasolier”—originally designed for gas lighting and later converted to electricity, adds another layer of historic charm. Throughout the building, antique furnishings complement the architecture, blending old-world elegance with modern functionality.

Today, the building offers fully furnished office spaces designed to meet the needs of modern professionals. From small, private offices for solopreneurs to larger suites for growing businesses, each space is thoughtfully designed for both comfort and productivity. In addition to individual offices, the property features a spacious event area suitable for meetings, conferences, and special gatherings, along with inviting common areas that encourage collaboration and connection.

A farmhouse, a fine restaurant, a bed and breakfast, and now a place of business, this property has been home to more than a century of stories. 

From its cedar-lined beginnings to its place as a local landmark, The Farm on Maple remains a true gem of west Wichita, honoring its past while continuing to evolve for generations to come.